May 29th Current Affairs

1. DG NCC Mobile Training App 2.0

IN NEWS:

Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar launched Directorate General National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mobile Training App Version 2.0 in New Delhi on May 28, 2021.

KEY POINTS:

The app will assist in conducting countrywide online training to NCC cadets during the COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

It is aimed at providing NCC-related basic information and entire training material (Syllabus, Précis, Training Videos, Frequently Asked Questions) on one platform.

It provides the NCC cadets easy access to training material and assists in carrying out training during the pandemic.

NCC Training App Version 2.0 will be useful to the cadets in digital learning, overcoming the difficulties posed by COVID-19 restrictions on physical contact.

Using this app, the cadets will be able to attend online training, appear in certificate exams and prevent loss of academic year.

DG NCC Mobile Training App Version 2.0 will be bilingual (Hindi and English).

SOURCE:PIB

2. Critical Near Isothermal Forging Technology for aeroengines

IN NEWS:

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established the near isothermal forging technology to produce all the five stages of high-pressure compressors (HPC) discs out of difficult-to-deform titanium alloy using its unique 2000 MT isothermal forge press.

Key POINTS:

• The technology has been developed by Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), a premier metallurgical laboratory of DRDO at Hyderabad.
• This is a crucial technology for establishing self-reliance in aeroengine technology. 
• With this development, India has joined the league of limited global engine developers to have the manufacturing capabilities of such critical aero engine components.
• In India, the Adour engine is overhauled by HAL (E), Bengaluru under a licensed manufacturing agreement with OEM. Like in any aeroengine, the HPC Drum assembly has to be replaced after a specified number of operations or in case of damage.
• DMRL developed this forging technology by integrating various science and knowledge-based tools.
• The methodology adopted by DMRL is generic in nature and can be tuned to develop other similar aeroengine components. 
• The compressor discs produced using this methodology met all the requirements stipulated by the airworthiness agencies for the desired application.
• Accordingly, the technology was type certified and letter of technical approval (LoTA) was accorded.
• Based on the exhaustive component level and performance evaluation test results, HAL (E) and Indian Air Force cleared the components for engine fitment.
• Apart from DMRL and HAL (E), various agencies such as MIDHANI, CEMILAC and DGAQA worked in unison to establish this crucial technology.

SOURCE:PIB

3. 43rd GST Council

In news

The 43rd GST Council met under the Chairmanship of Union Finance Minister recently.

Key takeaways

• The GST Council has made the following recommendations:
• As a COVID-19 relief measure, a number of specified COVID-19 related goods such as medical oxygen, oxygen concentrators and other oxygen storage and transportation equipment, etc., have been recommended for full exemption from IGST.
• In view of rising Black Fungus cases, the exemption from IGST has been extended to Amphotericin B.
• To support the LympahticFilarisis (an endemic) elimination programme being conducted in collaboration with WHO, the GST rate on Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) tablets has been recommended for reduction to 5% (from 12%).
• GST on MRO services in respect of ships/vessels shall be reduced to 5% (from 18%).
• Amnesty scheme for small GST taxpayer’s was also announced, allowing filing of returns with reduced late fees.
• Annual return filing has also been simplified.
• The Council has recommended amending the CGST Act to allow for self-certification of reconciliation statements, instead of getting it certified by Chartered Accountants.

SOURCE:TH

4.Srinagar Leh Transmission System transferred to POWERGRID

IN NEWS:

Union Ministry of Power has transferred the 220 kV Srinagar-Drass-Kargil-Khaltsi-Leh Transmission System to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna CPSU of Government of India.

Key takeaways

• The transmission system was commissioned in February 2019.
• It connects the Ladakh region to the national grid, ensuring quality and reliable power supply.
• It is built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters and 335-km long
• The project was executed by POWERGRID on consultancy basis under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) Scheme.

SOURCE:TH

5.Monetary assistance as component of Mid-day-Meal (MDM) Scheme

IN NEWS:

Ministry of Education has approved the proposal to provide monetary assistance to 11.8 Crore students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of the cooking cost component of the Mid-Day-Meal Scheme, to all eligible children, as a special welfare measure.

Key takeaways

• This will give a fillip to the Midday Meal programme.
• Government of India had also announced distribution of free-of-cost food grains @ 5 Kg per person per month to nearly 80 Crore beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY).

Important information:

• The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was
• launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 1995.
• Objective: To enhance enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improve nutritional levels among children.
• In 2001 it became a cooked Mid Day Meal Scheme.
• The Scheme covers children of classes I-VIII studying in government, government-aided schools, special training centres (STC) and madarsas/ maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
• It is the largest school feeding programme in the world.
• It is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.

SOURCE:IE